There must be a reason why any action is to be/was taken. Either rightly or wrongly. While some may be altruistic, others are entirely obnoxious. Without mincing words, I personally consider the ‘unofficial’ proscription of Keke riding business operation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as an afterthought. The ban directive itself, apparently orchestrated by the Federal Government, is explicitly ill-motivated, crassly illogical and grossly absurd by every estimation.
It would be recalled that many Abuja residents penultimate Tuesday woke up to the shocking news that commercial tricycle activities have been “abolished” in some parts of the city. One can safely conclude that with the FCTA authorities’ directive, the Keke ‘guys’ have been declared as persona non grata by those behind the prohibition. Already, FG which (though, openly has not) announced the suspension of Keke business, has maintained that their (the Keke riders) activities is constituting a nuisance to several parts of the nation’s capital.
It further noted that the wave of crimes has surged in Abuja (lately) no thanks to some ‘deviant’ and criminal-minded Keke riders. This class of Keke riders, FG believes, are the ones perpetrating all sorts of heinous activities. Car theft, One-chance operation, robbery, ritual killing. Name them. So, the decision to outlaw their activities in major parts of the FCT is justifiable and not tyrannical.
But in a swift reaction, Austin Apeh, and Chairman, Welfare Enforcement in FCT, Thomas Danjuma, told journalists in Abuja during a recent protest that they are set to go to Court. What for? To know whether FCTA got the legislation from the National Assembly before clamping down on their members. But in the meantime, they are asking the government to disband the FCT Ministerial Joint Taskforce on Keke in the interest of peace.
“The FCTA said they would be banning us from the major routes, and restrict us to only estates and villages. The decision is going to throw many people into the labour market because Keke business feeds over 40, 000 persons in Abuja.
“Politically, they are betraying our trust, because the present administration approached us for assistance during the 2019 general elections and we did our best to bring them to power. It is unfortunate that the people we brought to office have turned against us. A tricycle costs N680, 000 and if you multiply it by 40, 000, you will know the investments that will be wasted,” Apeh said.
The TOA’s President also called on the Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Musa Bello, to caution the Taskforce officials, who he said are operating like terrorists. He then added that by the time FG stops 40, 000 persons from using Keke because of alleged robbery, the problem will only be multiplying.
On his part, Danjuma, clearly noted that the government would be courting and also creating more troubles with the planned mass arrest and ban on tricycles in Abuja metropolis.
His words: “We have been in this business for over two decades. This is a government we supported. I did many things to support the re-election of this government. They are creating more trouble, more bandits and more criminals.”
A sane mind will be compelled to ask: is this the first time Keke operators and riders are legitimately doing their business in Abuja? Without let or hindrance? If no, then why are they been ‘victimized’ now? The unequivocal reality is that the Keke riders didn’t come to the FCT yesterday, or this year. Certainly not last year, or even the year before. They have been in Abuja for only God-knows-when. And not only that, they have through their dignifying business, been offering invaluable service to teeming Abuja residents. Never mind the fact that the Keke business has since become a passport to ‘prosperity’ for many youths, in their struggle to keep body and soul together.
Since the proscription, I have seen how hundreds of people regularly trek from major highways in Abuja to their distant houses located in housing estates, communities and areas. How workers also trek to their offices on daily basis. I do sincerely bemoan their haplessness as the scorching ‘Abuja sun’ vents its anger on them. This development as unfortunate as it is, could not have been unavoidable.
This is the time when FG should devise ways to alleviate the suffering, while also cushioning the hardship of Abuja residents, and other Nigerians. It should not, and I repeat, should not be the time for unveiling or introducing anti-masses policies, directives or programmes. Is it not the height of ‘cluelessness’ for FG to outrightly criminalize Keke business without providing a palliative for the affected youths?
The FG surely knows better the threat those directly affected by the clampdown pose to their immediate society and the FCT in general. If we are not careful, many a youths whose daily bread is riding tricycle will soon be recruited into Robbery United, One-Chance Madrid, and Kidnapping Golden Stars FC, among other infamous ‘crime clubs’. For that not to happen—at least any time soon—we must continue to ask this pertinent question: Why should they proscribe Keke in Abuja?
Shuaibu, is a final year student of Mass Communication at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), in Niger state.
